Bubble cap assembly



Dec. 18, 1951 J. P. DUNN BUBBLE CAP ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 27, 1951 FIC5.4

s RWMY on 5 mi E O W5; .IM A M Patented Dec. 18, 1951 BUBBLE CAP ASSEMBLY James P. Dunn, Springfield, Mass., assignor to Gilbert & Barker Manufacturing Company, West Springfield, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application January 27, 1951, Serial No. 208,194

Claims. (Cl. 261-114) This invention relates to improvements in bubble cap assemblies, such as are used in fractionating towers and the like for the purpose of intimately contacting a gas with a liquid.

The invention has for an object the provision of an improved bubble cap assembly, in which all the parts are held together and to the fioor plate of a bubble tray solely by clamping, efiected by a bolt, whereby the assembly is readily demountable to facilitate cleaning, leaving the floor of the bubble tray smooth and fiat and completely free, both top and bottom, of protuberances or other obstructions, and which is designed to enable all parts, including chimney, cap and clamping elements, to be mounted on or demounted from the fioor of the bubble tray rapidly and conveniently by a single operator, working from a position above such fioor of the tray.

The invention will be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view of one form of bubble cap assembly embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the clamping bolt and spider used to clamp the chimney and bubble cap to the deck plate;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view of another form of bubble cap assembly embodying the invention;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the assembly shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the clamping bolt and spider used with the second form of the invention.

Referring to these drawings, there is shown at l a portion of a plate, which forms part of they horizontal floor or deck of one of the trays of a bubble tower. Such a tower has a plurality of these trays, mounted one above another at different levels, in the general manner disclosed in Patent No. 1,667,136, to Alexander, granted April 24, 1928. In each tray, are mounted a great many of the bubble cap assemblies, which form the subject matter of this invention. A single bubble cap assembly will be described in connection with each form of the invention.

One form of bubble cap assembly, embodying the invention, is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Each assembly includes a chimney 2, a bell cap 3 and The bell cap 3 is of usual form and has fixed to it and depending from its top wall a series of angularly-spaced fins 5, radiating from the periphery of a hole 6, formed centrally in such wall. These fins have notched outer ends providing seats I to rest on top of the chimney and vertical shoulders 8 adapted to lie inside the chimney close to its peripheral wall so as to approximately center the hole 6 with the chimney 2.

The bell cap 3 is held to the chimney 2 and the chimney is held to the floor plate 1 by means of a spider, which is shown separately in Fig. 3 and consists of a plurality of arms 9, radiating from a central portion l0, having engaged therewith in any suitable way, one end of bolt 1 I. As shown, the lower end of the bolt is riveted to the spider but it may be engaged therewith in any other suitable way,,if desired. The bolt (Fig. 1) extends upwardly through the chimney in coaxial relation and through the hole 6, terminating with a threaded upper end to receive a nut 12, which is screwed down upon the outer and upper face of the top wall of bell cap 3. The spider arms 9, at their outer ends, engage the lower face of fioor plate 0. Accordingly, by tightening nut 12, the seats "I on the fins 5 of cap 3 will be drawn against the upper end of chimney 2 and the chimne itself drawn downwardly to press flange l tightly against the upper face of plate I.

The lower portion of the chimney 2 is purposely extended below the lower face of plate I to provide temporary supports for the spider and bolt during the assembly of the bell cap on the chimney and during disassembly of such parts. In the extended portion of the chimney (Fig. 1), are formed a plurality of slots, one for each of the radiating arms 9. Each slot is preferably T-shaped and includes part l3, which extends vertically upward from the lower end of the chimney and terminates with its upper end slightly above the lower face of plate I, and parts It and 15, which respectively extend laterally to the left and to the right from part l3 in parallel relation wit-h the plate. The upper ends of the slots I4 and I5 lie in the same plane as the upper end of part [3. The part I3 is wide enough to permit free upward passage of the necked down portion l6 of a spider arm 9 to the necessary level and the parts M and 15 have a vertical width large enough to permit free lateral passage of such part. Preferably, the entrance ends of slots l4 and I5 are widened, as shown, to facilitate entrance of the parts Hi of arms 9. The lower wall of the slot part 14 serves as a shelf to support a spider arm during assembly of the parts of the bubble cap structure, and the lower wall of the slot part I5 serves as a shelf to support a spider arm during demountlng of the parts of such structure, as will later be described in detail. Each arm 9 extends outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the chimney so as to engage the lower face of plate I and preferably these outwardly extended portions, marked II, are also extended from both sides of the part I6, being curved to follow the contour of the chimney and provide a considerable area for contact with the plate I, such contact area underlying the circumferential flange 4.

In assembling the parts of the described bubble cap structure, the spider, with the bolt II attached, is inserted through the opening la in plate I, working from a position above the plate. The chimney 2 may be slipped over the operators hand, while he thus locates the spider below the plate. Then, while holding the bolt II near its upper end, the chimney is slipped off the operator's hand into encompassing relation with the bolt. Then, while holding the spider by the bolt, the lower end of the chimney 2 is inserted in the opening Ia in plate I. When this is accomplished, the spider may be turned about the axis of bolt I I until its arms 9, or more properly the necked-down parts I6 thereof, enter the upwardly extending parts I3 of the T-slots, whereupon the spider is drawn up as far as possible and then turned enough to carry said parts into the laterally-extending parts I4 of the slots. Then, the spider is supported from the lower walls of the slot parts I4 so that the operator may release his hold on the bolt II and place the bell cap 3 in position. The shoulders I8 on arms 9 will locate the spider and bolt approximately coaxially of the chimney 2 to facilitate positioning of the cap. Then, the nut I2 is tightened to draw the cap 3 against the chimney 2, the flange 4 against the upper face of plate I and the outer ends H of the spider arms 9 against the lower face of plate I. When the nut is tightened, there is a tendency to turn the spider counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, which tends to keep the parts II; of arms 9 in the laterally-extending parts I4 of the T-slots. It will thus be seen that the chimney 2 and cap 3 may be assembled on plate I by a single operator working from a position above the floor plate I.

It will also be clear that the bubble cap assemblies may be taken apart for cleaning by a single operator working from a position above plate I. The nut I2 is first turned to loosen it. This tends to turn bolt II in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, thereby moving the parts I6 of arms 9 out of the slots I4, across the upper ends of slots I3 and into the slots I5, the lower walls of which will then support the spider and bolt II, while the operator unscrews nut I2 and lifts the bell cap 3 from chimney 2. Then, the operator grasps bolt II and turns it about its axis until the parts I6 of arms 9 ride into the top of the slots I3, when he lowers the bolt enough to carry the arms downwardly out of slots I3. The chimney 2 is then lifted up and slipped over the operators hand, while he holds bolt II, after which the bolt is tilted enough to allow the spider arms 9 to be drawn upwardly through the opening la.

The T-shaped slots I3, I4 and I5 are the equivalent of a combined right and left bayonet slot. The two are desirable in that support for the spider arms 9 is provided both during assembly or disassembly of the parts. However, if the support is not desired during disassembly of the parts, the slot I5 may be omitted leaving only a single bayonet slot.

Another form of the invention is shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. The chimney 2 and bell cap 3 are constructed as before but the spider arms are differently constructed and a different bolt mounting is used. This arrangement enables the chimney 2 to be engaged in the opening Ia of plate I before the spider is moved below the plate. The spider may be passed through the chimney after it has been placed in position in the opening Ia. As before, T-slots, or double bayonet slots, are provided having parts I3, I4 and I5, corresponding to the described parts I3, I4 and I5 of Fig. 1, except that they are differently shaped to receive the differently shaped arms of the spider. The spider in this case has only two arms 20 although more may be provided, if desired. Each arm 20 is constructed in two sections 2I and 22, arranged side by side in abutment and suitably secured together, as by welding indicated at 23. The inner end of each section of one arm is integrally connected to the adjacent section of the other arm by a part 24. These parts 24 combine to form between them a vertical opening of non-circular (in this case square) cross sectional shape to closely fit and engage the correspondingly shaped part of a carriage bolt having a head 26, which fits into horizontal slots 21 formed in the connecting parts 24. The bolt has a shank 28 which extends upwardly through the chimney 2 and cap 3 and terminates with a threaded upper end 29 to receive a nut 30. The bolt is thus fixed to the spider against relative rotary movement and against relative vertical movement. The arms 20, near their outer ends, have openings 3I therethrough, which are of a size and shape and so located as to permit free passage of the parts 32 or 33 of the chimney, which respectively underlie the slots I4 and I5, when the arms, after having been lifted to the top of slots I3, are turned either to the left or right to enter slots I4 or I5, respectively. The combined thickness of the sections 2I and 22 of each arm is somewhat less than the width of a slot I3 and the vertical width of a slot I4 or I5 is somewhat greater than the distance from the upper edge of the arm to the top wall of opening 3|. As before each arm extends beyond the chimney and has curved extensions IT to engage plate I in underlying relation with flange 4.

In mounting the parts of the second form of bubble cap assembly, the lower end of the chimney is inserted in hole Ia of plate I and the chimney is pressed downwardly until its flange 4 seats on the upper face of plate I. Then the spider is passed through the chimney 2. To do this, the assembled spider and bolt are tilted until the bolt 28 lies at an angle of about 45 to the axis of the chimney and one arm 20 of the spider is inserted in the chimney 2 in advance of the other arm 20. This will allow the leading arm 20 of the spider to move below the lower edge of the chimney 2 before the upper end of the bolt 28 engages the upper end of the chimney. Then, the bolt 28 is gradually tilted back as the lowering continues until the other arm 20 of the spider lies below the lower end of the chimney. The bolt 28 is then moved into coaxial relation with chimney 2 and turned about its axis until arms 20 align with the lower ends of slots I3. The bolt is then raised, drawing the arms 20 upwardly in slots I3 until they reach the upper ends thereof, whereupon the spider is turned to carry the parts 34 of the arms into slots I4. Then, the spider and bolt will be supported, while the bell cap 3 is applied to the chimney 2 and the nut 30 turned up to clamp the cap to the chimney and the latter and the spider to plate I. As before, the slot l5 provides for support of the spider during disassembly of the parts.

The constructions described are characterized in that all parts of the bubble cap assembly are held together andto the floor of the bubble tray solely by clamping pressure, thereby enablingcomplete demounting so as to leave the tray entirely smooth and flat and free, both top and bottom, from any protuberances or obstructions in order to facilitate cleaning. No parts are permanently fastened, as by welding, riveting or otherwise, to the floor plates. Therefore, these plates may be made simply by cutting them from sheets to the desired size and shape and then punching the gas escape openings la therein. Where the plates and parts are made of stainless steel, as is commonly the case, it is desirable to avoid, as far as possible, welding or mechanical working of the metal because such welding or working impairs the non-corrosive properties of the metal and necessitates subsequent annealing of the welded or mechanically worked parts to restore such properties. The constructions described are also characterized in that all parts may be assembled or disassembled rapidly and easily by a single operator working from a position above the floor of the tray. The chimney is extended below the floor plate and slotted to provide temporary supports for the spider arms, while the bell cap is being applied or removed, and the spider arms have their outer ends extended circularly around the outer periphery of the chimney to afford adequate area of contact at the right location, namely beneath the circumferential flange of the chimney.

What is claimed is:

l. A bubble cap assembly, adapted to cover an opening in the floor plate of a bubble tower tray and comprising, a floor plate provided with an opening therethrough, a chimney having a lower portion engaged in sad opening and an upper portion upstanding from said plate, said chimney having externally thereof a peripheral flange engaging the upper face of said plate and encompassing said opening, the lower portion of said chimney extend ng below the lower face of said plate and having a plurality of slots, each slot extending upwardly from the lower end of the chimney and terminating slightly beyond the lower face of the floor plate and then extending laterally and parallel to said plate, a spider having a plurality of radiating arms one for each said slot, each arm having a width such as to pass freely through the upwardly extending part of one slot and a thickness such as to move freely through the laterally extending part of such slot,

, a bell cap seated on top of said chimney; and a bolt engaged at one end with said spider centrally of said arms, extending upwardly through the chimney and cap, and engaged at its upper end with the upper face of said cap for drawing the cap and spider toward one another and forcing the cap against the upper end of the chimney,

the flange on' the chimney against the upper face 70 2,480,362

of said plate and said arms against the lower face of said plate.

2. The combination, as claimed in claim 1, in which each arm of the spider extends outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the chimney to engage the lower face of the floor plate at a location vertically beneath the shoulder on the chimney.

3. The combination, as claimed in claim 1, in which the outer end of each arm of the spider extends outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the chimney and has arcuate extensions partially encompassing the lower portion of the peripheral wall of the chimney in underlying relation with the flange on the chimney.

4. The combination, as claimed in claim 1, in which each slot extends laterally from each side of the upwardly extending part of the slot.

5. A bubble cap assembly, adapted to cover an opening in the floor plate of a bubble tower tray and comprising, a floor plate provided with an opening therethrough, a chimney having a lower portion engaged in said opening and an upper portion upstanding from said plate, said chimney having externally thereof a peripheral flange engaging the upper face of said plate and encompassing said opening, the lower portion of said chimney extending below the lower face of said plate and having a plurality of slots, each slot extending upwardly from the lower end of the chimney and terminating slightly beyond the lower face of the floor plate and then extending laterally and parallel to said plate, a spider having a plurality of radiating arms one for each said slot, each arm having a width such as to pass freely through the upwardly extending part of one of said slots and a thickness such as to move freely through the laterally extending part of such slot, a bell cap seated on top of said chimney, each said arm composed of two radial sections mounted side by side and fixed together and connecting parts one between the inner end of each section of one arm and the inner end of the adjacent section of the other arm, said connecting parts forming the walls of an opening non-circular in cross section, each said connecting part having a horizontal slot therethrough and all such slots disposed in the same horizontal plane; a bolt having a head engaged in said last-named slots, a portion of the same cross sectional shape as said non-circular opening closely engaged with the walls thereof, and a shank having a threaded upper end and extending upwardly through the chimney and cap; and a nut threaded on the upper end of the boltfor forcing the cap against the upper end of the chimney, the flange on the chimney against the upper face of said plate and said arms against the lower face of said plate.

JAMES P. DUNN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,708,685 Taylor Apr. 9, 1929 2,338,928 Glitsch Jan. 11, 1944 Johnson Sept. 6, 1949 

